Hospitality students excel in national Young Guns contest

A high-flying hospitality student from Bournemouth University has been awarded a national prize after excelling in her work placement.

Rebecca Cupitt, who is studying Hospitality Business Development at BU, has been crowned this year’s Young Guns winner after completing her placement with corporate and commercial caterers CH&Co.

A further four BU students were also named among the 10 finalists in the competition, which recognises hospitality students across the country who have excelled in their work placements.

Rebecca, aged 24, said: "When I first started at BU the Young Guns award was on my list as a goal - at that time I hoped that I would be in a position to enter the competition. I had never imagined that four years later I would be the winner! I am totally overwhelmed and very proud of this achievement that I know will boost my confidence as I enter into a new stage of my career. Having put in the effort and dedication during my time at University it’s a fantastic prize. It demonstrates that hard work equal results and it will also motivate me to achieve my future goals and ambitions."

Also successful were School of Tourism students Trevor Childs, Steve Driscoll, Fredericos Tsaparas and James Turton.

Steve, who is studying Hospitality Management and worked at the Macdonald Randolph Hotel in Oxford during his placement, said: "My placement year was probably one of the best experiences of my life. Not only did I have a chance to put some of my course into place, I had great fun doing it too! It allowed me to learn so much about myself, and also confirmed for me that hospitality is the right industry for me, and reignited my passion for it."

Trevor, who is studying Hospitality Business Development and also worked at CH&Co, said: "I chose BU because it has a great reputation as one of the leading universities in the country for tourism subjects, and I think this is illustrated by the fact that it had five students in the final 10 of the competition. After my placement year I now have a much better understanding of what it takes to be a good manager and leader, and the way that I view my future career has changed dramatically. I think that the placement has set me in good sted to gain a graduate job upon completion of my course.

"I think that for students to be recognised for their hard-work is very important, and it’s a huge compliment to be selected as one of the top students in the country."

Richmond Events’ Young Guns competition recognises hospitality students who have excelled in their placement period. At BU, Hospitality students complete 40-week placement in the industry after their second year of study. Entrants from across the country were then whittled down to just 10 finalists, who faced a judging panel made up of leading industry figures who selected the two winners.

This year the 10 finalists will be attending Richmond Events’ Catering & Hospitality Forum on 20 June at the Robinson Executive Centre, Wyboston Lakes, where they can meet prospective employers, learn from some of the industry’s major players and participate in conference and workshop sessions.

Crispin Farbrother, the Programme Leader for the undergraduate Hospitality programme, said: "We are very proud of our students’ success and of them being recognised as among the UK’s best by industry professionals. We work hard on preparing students for their careers and this, along with their commitment, attitude and passion, is clearly acknowledged through having five out of 10 finalists. We are pleased for all five of them."